The organiser of the biannual Moda fashion trade show claims to have equalled its best attendance to date.

ITE Moda said it matched last February’s 13,193 attendees (ABC audited) at its most recent event from 19 to 21 February at The NEC in Birmingham. Its core audience includes both department store and independent retail representatives. Final visitor figures have not yet been released.

ITE Moda said more than 200 brands were also new to the trade show this time around, out of 1,450 collections.

“The positive atmosphere at this season’s show and the fact that attendance reached the same level as our busiest ever show was a clear indication of the continued strength of our industry and of the Moda show,” said commercial director for Moda organiser ITE Moda, Nick Cook.

“It also underlined that it’s never been more important for buyers to source new and innovative brands.”

Moda returns to The NEC from 12 to 14 August. Cook expected the show to attract more first-time exhibitors as a result of brands wanting to still exhibit during the 2012 London Olympic Games but outside of London.